The ''Ziegfeld Follies of 1919'' was a

revue A revue is a type of multi-act popular theatrical entertainment that combines music, dance, and sketches. The revue has its roots in 19th century popular entertainment and melodrama but grew into a substantial cultural presence of its own duri ...

produced by

Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. Florenz Edward Ziegfeld Jr. (; March 21, 1867 – July 22, 1932) was an American Broadway impresario, notable for his series of theatrical revues, the ''Ziegfeld Follies'' (1907–1931), inspired by the ''Folies Bergère'' of Paris. He also p ...

Billed as the thirteenth edition of the

Ziegfeld Follies The ''Ziegfeld Follies'' was a series of elaborate theatrical revue productions on Broadway in New York City from 1907 to 1931, with renewals in 1934 and 1936. They became a radio program in 1932 and 1936 as ''The Ziegfeld Follies of the Air ...

series, it had a tryout at Nixon's Apollo Theatre in

Atlantic City Atlantic City, often known by its initials A.C., is a coastal resort city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States. The city is known for its casinos, Boardwalk (entertainment district), boardwalk, and beaches. In 2020 United States censu ...

, New Jersey, on June 10, 1919 and opened at Broadway's

New Amsterdam Theatre The New Amsterdam Theatre is a Broadway theater on 214 West 42nd Street, at the southern end of Times Square, in the Theater District of Manhattan in New York City. One of the oldest surviving Broadway venues, the New Amsterdam was built from ...

on June 16, 1919 and closed on December 6, 1919."Ziegfeld Follies of 1919"

Internet Broadway Database The Internet Broadway Database (IBDB) is an online database of Broadway theatre productions and their personnel. It was conceived and created by Karen Hauser in 1996 and is operated by the Research Department of The Broadway League, a trade assoc ...

, accessed ]August 13, 2019 It is often considered to be the best and most successful of the ''Follies'' series produced by Ziegfeld. The revue's musical director was Frank Darling. Orchestrations for Gene Buck, Buck and Stamper numbers were by Stephen O. Jones (1880–1967). Costumes were selected by Ziegfeld from creations of

Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon Lucy Christiana, Lady Duff-Gordon (née Sutherland; 13 June 1863 – 20 April 1935) was a leading British fashion designer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries who worked under the professional name Lucile. The first British-based designe ...

(known as "Lucile") for the following scenes: "The Harem," "The Drinks and Syncopated Cocktail" chorus gowns and

Marilyn Miller Marilyn Miller (born Mary Ellen Reynolds; September 1, 1898 – April 7, 1936) was one of the most popular Broadway musical stars of the 1920s and early 1930s. She was an accomplished tap dancer, singer and actress, and the combination of these ...

's "Springtime" dresses. Schneider-Anderson Company executed designs by O'Neill, McGeachy and Cook for "The Salad", "Shimmy", "Minstrel", "Tulip Time", "Salvation Army", "Spanish", Widows (in

Prohibition Prohibition is the act or practice of forbidding something by law; more particularly the term refers to the banning of the manufacture, storage (whether in barrels or in bottles), transportation, sale, possession, and consumption of alcoholic ...

scene). Hickson designed costumes for "Sweet Sixteen Melody" and "Baby Arms". The costumes In

Ben Ali Haggin James Ben Ali Haggin III (20 April 1882 – 2 September 1951) was an American portrait painter and stage designer. Life A grandson of the multi-millionaire James Ben Ali Haggin, he was born in New York City. After extensive education, he began ...

's first act arrangement were made by Frances, New York. Men's costumes were by Dazian & Co. Uniforms were by Brooks Uniform Company. The scenic construction was by B. McDonald Construction Company.

Program and songs

Act 1Script for ''Ziegfeld Follies of 1919''
available through Variety Stage English Plays of ''American Memory'', accessed August 13, 2019 *Episode 1: "The Follies Salad" **Song: "The Follies Salad" sung by

Eddie Dowling Eddie Dowling (born Joseph Nelson Goucher; December 11, 1889Date and year of birth as per baptismal records of Precious Blood church, Woonsocket, Rhode Island, where Dowling was christened — February 18, 1976) was an American actor, director, ...

(as Chef) **Cast: Lettuce: M. Sinclair, Spice: Marcelle Earl, Oil: Helen Lyons, Sugar: Kathryn Perry, Paprika: Lucille Levant, Chicken: May Hay, Salt and Pepper: The Fairbanks Twins, Follies Girl of 1919: Florence Ware *Episode 2: "Hail to the Thirteenth Folly," tableau by Ben Ali Haggin **Cast: The New Folly: Jessie Reed, Her Twelve Sisters: Hazel Washburn, Martha Pierre, Bernice Dewey, Margaret Irving, Ethel Hallor, Ruth Taylor, Florence Crane, Betty Morton, Corene Paynter, Mary Washburn, Nan Larned and Simone D'herlys. *Episode 3: "A Pet" **Cast: Mary Hay and Phil Dwyer *Episode 4: "A Spanish Frolic" written by Rennold Wolf **Cast: Announcer: Eddie Dowling, Picador: Jack Lynch, Matador: Wesley Pierce, Toreador: Johnny Dooley, Carmen:

Ray Dooley Ray Dooley (born 1953) is a company member at the PlayMakers Repertory Company in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and has performed on Broadway, film and television. He is currently the head of the Professional Actor Training Program (PATP) at the Uni ...

, Bull (fore): William; (aft): Willie Newsome *Episode 5: "My Baby's Arms," **Song: "My Baby's Arms" music by

Harry Tierney Harry Austin Tierney (May 21, 1890 – March 22, 1965) was an American composer of musical theatre, best known for long-running hits such as ''Irene'' (1919), Broadway's longest-running show of the era (620 performances), ''Kid Boots'' (1923) and'' ...

, lyric by

Joseph McCarthy Joseph Raymond McCarthy (November 14, 1908 – May 2, 1957) was an American politician who served as a Republican U.S. Senator from the state of Wisconsin from 1947 until his death in 1957. Beginning in 1950, McCarthy became the most visi ...

, **Cast: sung by Delyle Alda, assisted by Lucille Levant, Kathryn Perry, Mary Haye, Florence Ware and the Fairbanks Twins. *Episode 6: "Sweet Sixteen" **Song: "Sweet Sixteen" lyric by Gene Buck, music by Dave Stamper **Cast: sung by Marilyn Miller assisted by Mildred Sinclair, Bernice Dewey, Mary Washburn, Marcelle Earle, Martha Wood, Lois Davison, Corene Paynter, Lola Lorraine, Monica Boulais, Mable Hastings, Madeline Wales, Minnie Harrison, Viola Clarens, Helen Shea, Olive Vaughn and Edna Lindsey *Episode 7: "The Popular Pests" by Gene Buck and Dave Stamper **Cast: Waiter: Eddie Dowling, Janitor: Bert Williams, Subway guard: Gus Van, Hall boy: Joe Schenck, Check Boy: Johnny Dooley, Taxi Driver: Eddie Cantor, Servant Girl: Ray Dooley *Episode 8: "Tulip Time" **Song: "Tulip Time" by Gene Buck and Dave Stamper **Cast: sung by

John Steel John is a common English name and surname: * John (given name) * John (surname) John may also refer to: New Testament Works * Gospel of John, a title often shortened to John * First Epistle of John, often shortened to 1 John * Second E ...

and Delyle Alda assisted by Misses Taylor, Foster, Jesmer, Fitzgerald, Squire, Young, Lamar, Kendall, North, Thomas, Page, Davis, Leisy, Barnes, Lamorte and Martin. *Episode 9: "He Seldom Misses" written by Rennold Wolf (with suggestions by George LeMaire) **Cast: Sure-Shot Dick: George Lemaire, Jasper Slocum: Bert Williams, Prairie Nell: Emily Drange *Episode 10: "The World is Going Shimmy Mad" by Gene Buck and Dave Stamper **Cast: sung by Johnny and Ray Dooley assisted by Misses Clarens, Lindsay, Ray, Hastings, Bertram, Haver, Baron, Lorraine, Lyon, John, E. Wallace Johnstone, Warfield, Chittenden, Bryant and Lygoe. *Episode 11: "The Apostle of Pepe" **Cast:

Eddie Cantor Eddie Cantor (born Isidore Itzkowitz; January 31, 1892 – October 10, 1964) was an American comedian, actor, dancer, singer, songwriter, film producer, screenwriter and author. Familiar to Broadway, radio, movie, and early television audiences, ...

*Episode 12: "I Want To See a Minstrel Show" **Cast: Eddie Dowling *Episode 13: "The Follies Minstrels" words and music by

Irving Berlin Irving Berlin (born Israel Beilin; yi, ישראל ביילין; May 11, 1888 – September 22, 1989) was a Russian-American composer, songwriter and lyricist. His music forms a large part of the Great American Songbook. Born in Imperial Russi ...

**Song: "

Mandy Mandy or Mandie may refer to: People * Mandy (name), a female given name and nickname * Iván Mándy (1918-1995), Hungarian writer * Mark Mandy (born 1972), Irish retired high jumper * Philip Mandie (born 1942), a former judge on the Supreme Cou ...

" words and music by Irving Berlin, sung by Van and Schenck, later by Ray Dooley **Cast: Tambo: Eddie Cantor, Bones: Bert Williams, Middle Man: George Lemaire, Quartet: First Tenor: Joe Schenck, Second Tenor: John Steel, Baritone: Johnny Dooley, Bass: Gus Van, Entire company: Follies Girls and Boys, George Primrose: Marilyn Miller, "Mandys" headed by Doris Levant and Helen Shea, with Misses Haver, Vaughn, Clarens, Lindsay, Ray, Hastings, Garrick and Braham, "Dandys": Joe Evans, George Burggraf, William Shelly, Jack Lynch, Eddie Syms, William Mathews, John Ryand and Willie Newsome Act 2 *Episode 1: "Harem Life" by Irving Berlin, **Cast: sung by Delyle Alda: Ladies of the Harem: Misses Davis, Squire, Martin, Barnes, LaMort, M. Callahan, and Foster, Cleopatra: Dorothy Richardson, favorite Wives (in order of their appearance): Misses Helen Leisy, Helen Jesmer, Gladys Colby, Ethel Callahan, Florence Crane, Ruth Taylor, Nan Larned, and Emily Drange, dancers of the Harem: Misses Clarens, Lindsay, Shea, Ray, Baron and Wallace, a Dancer: Doris Levant *Episode 2: "I Am the Guy Who Guards the Harem" words and music by Irving Berlin **Cast: sung by Johnny Dooley *Episode 3: Songs:

Bert Williams Bert Williams (November 12, 1874 – March 4, 1922) was a Bahamian-born American entertainer, one of the pre-eminent entertainers of the Vaudeville era and one of the most popular comedians for all audiences of his time. He is credited as being ...

*Episode 4: "The Circus Ballet," music by

Victor Herbert Victor August Herbert (February 1, 1859 – May 26, 1924) was an American composer, cellist and conductor of English and Irish ancestry and German training. Although Herbert enjoyed important careers as a cello soloist and conductor, he is be ...

*Cast: danced by Marilyn Miller; Ringmaster: Emily Drange, clowns: Misses Ray, Garrick, Lorraine, John, Wood, Johnstone, Chittenden, Bryant, Warfield, Douglas, Young and E. Wallace, bare-Back riders: Misses Vaughn, Clarens, Lindsay, Shea, Hastings, Garrick Lyons, Haver, Bertram, Johnstone, North and Baron *Episode 5: "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody" words and music by Irving Berlin **Cast: sung by John Steel, Humoresque: Florence Crane, Spring Song: Ruth Taylor, Elegy: Dorothy Richardson, Barcarolle: Ruth Foster, Serenade: Helen Jesmer, Traumerei: Emily Drange *Melody, Fantasy, and Folly of Years Gone By, a picture by Ben Ali Hagen **Cast: The Lady of Coventry (i.e. Lady Godiva): Gladys Colby, Her Handmaidens: Misses Larned, Foster, Lamorte, Davis, Vaughn and John, The Heralds: Fairbanks Twins, The Jester: Tracy Budington, The Guards: Joe Evans, George Burgraff, William Shelly, John Ryan, Jack Lynch, Eddie Sims, William Mathews and Willie Newsome *Episode 6: At the Osteopath's written by Rennold Wolf (with suggestions by Eddie Cantor) **Cast: Dr. Cheeseboro Simpson: George Lemaire, Percival Fingersnapper: Eddie Cantor, Orchid Swan, a stenographer: Marie Wallace, A Visitor: Emily Drange *Episode 7

art 1 Art is a diverse range of human behavior, human activity, and resulting product, that involves creative or imagination, imaginative talent expressive of technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas. There is no genera ...

"Prohibition" words and music by Irving Berlin **Cast: Father Time: Eddie Dowling, mourners: Misses Fitzgerald, Squire, Martin, Page, Lesly and Barnes, liquor lovers: Messrs. Chalmers and King, Jack Waverly, bartenders: Van and Schenck and Joe Evans, George Burggraf, William Shelly, Jack Lynch, John Ryan, Eddie Sims, William Mathews and Willie Newsome, "Chorus Girls": Misses Crane, Taylor, Drange, Larned, Foster, Jesmer, Lamorte and Richard, "The Working Man": Addison Young, "Our Boys From Over There": Barnard Carples, Ray Klages, Otis Harper, Kenneth Lawrence, Jack Waverly and Tracy Buddington **Song: "You Cannot Make your Shimmy Shake On Tea", lyrics by Rennold Wolf and Irving Berlin, music by Irving Berlin, sung by Bert Williams *Episode 7

art 2 Art is a diverse range of human activity, and resulting product, that involves creative or imaginative talent expressive of technical proficiency, beauty, emotional power, or conceptual ideas. There is no generally agreed definition of wha ...

A Saloon of the Future **Song: "

The Near Future "The Near Future" is a song written by Irving Berlin and performed in the ''Ziegfeld Follies of 1919''. It is better known for the small part of its lyric that took on a life of its own: "How Dry I Am". Origins The origins of the song and its co ...

" words and music by Irving Berlin **Cast: A Customer: John Steel, The Waiter: Eddie Cantor, Cocoa Cola: Florence Crane, Sarsaparilla: Nan Larned, Grape Juice: Heoen Jesmer, Lemonade: Emily Drange, Bevo: Ruth Foster, Lady Alcohol: Delyle Alda **Song: "A Syncopated Cocktail" words and music by Irving Berlin, sung by Marilynn Miller **Cast: China Dolls: Misses Vaughn, Clarens, Lindsey, Shea, Ray, Wood, Baron, Raylor, Lorraine, Lyon, Chittenden, Bryant and Haver, Total Abstainers: Misses Crane, Larned, Foster, Jesmer, Squire, E. Callahan, Kendall, Martin, Lamar, Lamorte, Thomas, Page, Davis, Leisy, Barness and North *Episode 8: Songs sung by Van and Schenck **Cast: Gus Van, Joe Schenck *Episode 9: "My Tambourine Girl" words and music by Irving Berlin, sung by John Steel **Cast: The Girl: Marie Wallace, Children: Fairbanks Twins, Salvation Lassies: Misses Crane, Lamorte, Foster, D. Richardson, jesmer, Drange, Larned and Leisy, Officers' Chorus: Tracy Buddington, Armand King, Jack Waverly, Kenneth Lawrence, Bernard Carples, Ray Klages and Addison Young *Episode 10: Finale: "The Salvation Army Girls" Scene: Victory Arch **Song: "We Made the Doughnuts Over There" words and music by Irving Berlin.

Reception

New York Tribune The ''New-York Tribune'' was an American newspaper founded in 1841 by editor Horace Greeley. It bore the moniker ''New-York Daily Tribune'' from 1842 to 1866 before returning to its original name. From the 1840s through the 1860s it was the domi ...

'' critic

Heywood Broun Heywood Campbell Broun Jr. (; December 7, 1888 – December 18, 1939) was an American journalist. He worked as a sportswriter, newspaper columnist, and editor in New York City. He founded the American Newspaper Guild, later known as The Newspaper ...

remarked: "Among the most beautiful of the series. … present cast has an excellent voice. … The singing of John Steel was among the best features of the performance at the New Amsterdam Theatre last night. Particularly in the Irving Berlin number "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody" his voice showed to excellent advantage. ... The comedy honors of the evening went very easily to Eddie Cantor. The knockabout sketch "At the Osteopath's" is among the most amusing bits of violence we have ever seen on the stage. ... Marilyn Miller dances entrancingly and sings very little. She was gorgeous in a minstrel number. ... The appeal to the eye is almost constant and Joseph Urban has never done better. The two tableaux arranged by Ben Ali Haggin are both eminently successful. ... The first night performance suffered from the usual Follies fault of being too long, and the evening was not free of dull spots which might be cut. A long dance number by Maurice and Walton seemed to us a bore. We were somewhat disappointed in Ray and Johnny Dooley. They were funny at times, but though they fall as hard and as often as their relatives at the Winter Garden and the Century Roof, something of the Newtonian inspiration, which possesses William and Gordon, is lacking. Bert Williams was exceedingly funny in a Rennold Wolf sketch, in which he plays the part of the assistant to a sharpshooter, but none of his songs in the first two-thirds of the performance was in the least effective. ... Ziegfeld should receive his annual tribute from those who write for the theatre because in his own field he does his work supremely well. He has been a considerable figure in bringing beauty and taste to American musical shows." The unnamed critic in the ''

Boston Daily Globe ''The Boston Globe'' is an American daily newspaper founded and based in Boston, Massachusetts. The newspaper has won a total of 27 Pulitzer Prizes, and has a total circulation of close to 300,000 print and digital subscribers. ''The Boston Glob ...

'' wrote: " e 1919 version of this 'Institution' proving to be superior to any of the previous dozen produced by the master manager. ... e girls are so pretty and elegantly costumed, the scenes are so beautiful and everything goes with such snap and verve that no one cares to have the style of revue changed. ... The Follies of 1919 is the usual gorgeous, glittering Ziegfeld show, staged lavishly and on an artistic manner and of a higher standard than ever. ... Speed and no lagging moments marked the progress of the show. ... Those agile dancing knock-abouts, Johnny and Ray Dooley, indulged in their hazardous work with as much gusto as though limbs were impervious to breakage. ... The Urban views and pictures by Ben Ali Haggin are strikingly effective, curtains, color schemes and stage accessories, though at times bizarre, appealing strongly to one's sense of harmony. Notably luxurious are 'The Spanish Frolic', the minstrel show, 'Harem Life', 'The Circus Ballet', 'A Syncopated Cocktail' and the finale.""''Ziegfeld Follies'' At the Colonial", ''Boston Daily Globe'', May 18, 1920, p. 4

Labor unrest and a royal visit

During the labor unrest in the summer of 1919, the actors planned to strike. Ziegfeld received an injunction against

Actors' Equity The Actors' Equity Association (AEA), commonly referred to as Actors' Equity or simply Equity, is an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance. Performers appearing in live stage productions without a book ...

, thinking he could avoid a strike. But after the audience was seated on August 13, 1919, Eddie Cantor, Johnny Dooley, Van and Schenck and Phil Dwyer did not show up. Fifteen minutes after the scheduled curtain, the performance was called off. The audience greeted the announcement with "a mixture of jeers, cheers, and laughter." The box office refunded patron's tickets, costing $2,740. The five actors were sued for $500,000 damages. The ''

San Francisco Chronicle The ''San Francisco Chronicle'' is a newspaper serving primarily the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. It was founded in 1865 as ''The Daily Dramatic Chronicle'' by teenage brothers Charles de Young and M. H. de Young, Michael H. de ...

'' reported that stagehands and musicians also went on strike in sympathy with Actors' Equity. Performances resumed on September 10. The

Prince of Wales Prince of Wales ( cy, Tywysog Cymru, ; la, Princeps Cambriae/Walliae) is a title traditionally given to the heir apparent to the English and later British throne. Prior to the conquest by Edward I in the 13th century, it was used by the rulers ...

attended on November 20, 1919. ''The New York Tribune'' reported that he laughed appreciatively when Eddie Cantor stepped forward in the direction of his box and said "It'll be too bad if the Prince of Wales goes home without getting one look at The Bronx."

On tour

The 1919 ''Follies'' played in Washington D.C. beginning April 25, 1920,"A Guide for Playgoers", ''Washington Post'', April 25, 1920, p. 48 then played in Boston beginning May 17, 1920.

References

External links